The Spirit of the Rockies
www.thespiritoftherockies.net
Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas
Mount Chapin
Accessible from Fall River
Road, this trail climbs steeply
through forest and across
tundra to Mount Chapin's
summit. The trail affords
hikers with wonderful
panoramic views of
mountain ranges and river
valleys. The summit offers
expansive views of many of
the peaks in the national park.
Distance: 1.7 miles one-way

Summit elevation: 12,454 feet

Trailhead elevation: 11,040 feet

Net elevation gain: 1,414 feet

Chapin Creek Trailhead

Rocky Mountain National Park
Mount Chapin from Horseshoe Park
Major Trail Landmarks
Junction of Chapin Creek and Mount Chapin Trails (0.2 miles one-way from trailhead)
Principal Destinations Near Mount Chapin
Mount Chiquita (2.7 miles one-way from trailhead) - via Mount Chapin Trail to an unmaintained route
Ypsilon Mountain (3.5 miles one-way from trailhead) - via Mount Chapin Trail to an unmaintained route
Backcountry Campsites Near Mount Chapin
There are no designated campsites near Mount Chapin
The Chapin Creek Trailhead (also referred to as the Chapin Pass Trailhead) is accessed from Fall River Road,
about 8 miles past the Lawn Lake Trailhead. Fall River Road is a difficult road for the National Park Service
to maintain, so it is generally open for a short season from July through September, andis subject to temporary
closures at all times. Note that Fall River Road is one-way uphill, so hikers must drive to the Alpine Visitor
Center and return to their starting location via Trail Ridge Road. ChapinCreek Trailhead parking is limited to
roadside parking along Fall River Road, and this area canbecome crowded with vehicles at times.

This area is relatively remote, and the trails are poorly marked by R.M.N.P. standards. As the trail enters the
tundra northwest of Mount Chapin, the trail becomes an unimproved route. It splits into several paths, each of
which cross tundra and rock slopes as they lead east toward the saddle between Mount Chapin and Mount
Chiquita. Near the saddle, an unmarked path leads southeast up a steep slope to Chapin's summit.
Sample photographs of the hike to Mount Chapin
Trailhead Sign
The trail above timberline
View of Mount Chiquita from Mount Chapin
View south from the summit
Mount Chapin topographic map
Principal summer trail marked by solid red line; unmaintained trail or route marked by dashed red line.
Map is oriented with north to the top of the map
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All photographs are property of Mike Amfahr and are protected by copyright laws.
Topographic map is property of and copyrighted by Maps a la carte, Inc., and is used on this site with permission.